In a surprising development, David Lin, a US pastor who had been detained in China since 2006, has been released and returned to the United States. The US State Department confirmed Lin’s release on Sunday, marking the end of nearly two decades of imprisonment. Lin, who was serving a life sentence for contract fraud, had been the subject of persistent appeals from US politicians advocating for his release.
Lin’s release comes at a critical juncture in US-China relations, which have been strained by a series of recent events. These include a stern warning from the Chinese ambassador regarding Taiwan and other ‘red lines’, an American economist’s critique of US policies aimed at “containing” China, and China’s condemnation of the US for including Chinese firms on its export control list.
The US State Department expressed its satisfaction with Lin’s release, stating, “We welcome David Lin’s release from prison in the People’s Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years.” Lin’s daughter, Alice, expressed overwhelming joy at her father’s return, saying, “No words can express the joy we have — we have a lot of time to make up for.”
President Joe Biden was previously urged to address Lin’s case, alongside two other detained Americans, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The timing of Lin’s release has sparked speculation about its significance within the broader context of US-China relations. While the circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear, it is likely to be viewed as a potential diplomatic gesture amidst heightened tensions between the two nations.
